Flashback: 1977, 1991

October 23, 2009

From the archives of the

Herald Times …

October 22, 1977

• Gaylord threw aside a tough Petoskey squad on the gridiron last week in a 14-7 battle. The victory was the first ever win for the Blue Devils on Petoskey’s Curtis Field. The stunning win keeps the Devils in contention for the Huron-Shores title and gives them a glimmer of hope for a shot at the state class B playoffs.

Gaylord running back Kurt Laug inspired the Blue Devils with his hard running game – he gained nearly 200 yards on 25 carries. Stew Love of the Blue Devils had three key interceptions to aid the defense, a main reason for their astounding play. The Blue Devils’ “D” has allowed only 3.9 points against per game this season. Chris Arnold and Laug scored on the night. Dan Arnold and Bob McNamara were also credited with solid performances.

October 24, 1991

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• The Gaylord Blue Devil varsity golf team recently finished 11th in the state at the Forest Akers Golf Club in East Lansing. While many avid football fans were tuned into the Michigan State Spartans football game across campus the Gaylord boys were battling for the State Championship title.

Gaylord fell short, sadly, but did finish very respectably in their first competition on the big stage. The Blue Devils scored a combined 338 that placed them midway through the pack of 24 teams. Gaylord also finished higher than Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie – their archrivals from the regular season.

GHS senior Scott Hasty was the Blue Devils’ top finisher for the day with an 80, with junior Jason Anderson not far behind with an 84. Rounding out Gaylord’s top five were Jason Otto, Dave Allyn, and Russ Glasby.

Gaylord Coach Dick Ryan was a bit displeased with the condition of the highly-touted golf course. “They had aerated the greens already, making putting more about luck than skill. Of course, every team has to play on the same course, but they should have held off until the end of the tournament.”

• The Johannesburg-Lewiston football team whipped up on Ski Valley rival Pellston 28-6 Friday night. The score was not indicative of the total beat down the Cardinals placed on the Pellston boys. J-L gained an overwhelming 532 yards of total offense on the night; Pellston could find no way to slow up the big red machine.

After going into the half leading modestly, 6-0, J-L fullback Mike Moss turned on the jets. He blasted the Yellowjacket’s defense for three touchdown runs in the second half. The gains of nine, 15, and 50 yards propelled J-L to a sure victory. Moss only had to carry the ball five times to amass a total of 119 yards. Dan Jones was the Cardinals’ leading rusher for the night with 202 yards on 24 carries.

• Gaylord St. Mary’s football team was downed 14-13 by foe Bellaire in the final minutes of Friday’s contest. St. Mary looked to have the fate of the game solely in their hands with little more than three minutes left on the clock after a long scoring drive. Andy Peterson was the recipient of a 45-yard touchdown heave from quarterback Joe Krezmien to put the ‘Birds up 13-6 late in the game.

Then, to make matters even better for St. Mary, senior Rob Wojtkowiak picked up an Eagle’s fumble on the ensuing kickoff. This gave the Snowbird’s faithful reason to think the game was wrapped up. But, momentum swung back to Bellaire after a blocked punt that set the Eagles up on St. Mary’s 30-yard line. Not long after the blocked punt Bellaire punched in the winning touchdown, much to the Snowbirds’ dismay.